Authorities want to rouse inmates and create uproar: CPRP

The authorities always find ways and means to rouse inmates in view of creating an outburst or sensation in the prisons, the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) charged.

The CPRP yesterday staged a protest outside the Welikada Prison urging the authorities to treat the inmates in a more humane manner.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, CPRP President Attorney-at-law Senaka Perera said the Prisons Department had placed some undue restrictions on the prisoners.

“It always attempts to create a background of unrests so that they could attack the inmates. It has even placed undue restrictions on the National Prisoners’ day which fell yesterday,” Perera said.

“The department always uses aggressive steps when dealing with inmates.the prisoners are in utter tension.the officials should remember the fact that at the end of day, they are all human beings,” he added.

Meanwhile, Perera said some of the cells in prisons were overloaded and that prisoners are unable even to move.

“Authorities have put eight prisoners into a cell where only one can stay. Is it fair?” he asked.

However, Prisons Media Spokesperson, Thushara Upuldeniya said these type of issues could be caused because of the congestion in the prisons.

“Our maintenance teams update themselves on these issues and are ready to render their service appropriately,” Upuldeniya added.